News
CHARLBURY COMMUNITY CENTRE gets Sport England cash boost
Charlbury Community Centre is set for a major transformation thanks to £500,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Improvement Fund.
The £2 million Community Centre is one of 19 projects across England to share in £6.5 million of National Lottery investment from the latest round of funding, which is helping clubs refurbish their facilities.
The money from Sport England's Improvement Fund will ensure that construction for the new Community Centre will start within the next few weeks.
The Centre will consist of:
- A large, modern sports hall that can accommodate a wide variety of sports including football, netball, tennis, cricket, basketball, volleyball, badminton and more;
- A new, modern library with IT facilities, WIFI and enough space for meetings, school visits, reading groups, story sessions, doing homework and many other activities; and
- A friendly, flexible community, youth and café area, where people can meet in a relaxed setting.
Marjorie Glasgow, chairman of The Thomas Gifford Trust, said: "We are immensely grateful to Sport England for its support, which will enable us finally to go ahead with providing these much-needed facilities for all of the people who live in Charlbury and its surrounding communities. It is the huge support that we have received from local people over the past ten years in particular, which has provided a solid foundation on which our major donors, such as Sport England, have been able to build.
The Thomas Gifford Trust - a charity that has roots going back to 1592 - is managing the project on behalf of everyone in Charlbury." Mrs Glasgow added, "The Community Centre will provide a new focus for the town, helping to maintain its identity and support our businesses as well as offering people of all age ranges first-class, state-of-the-art sports facilities in a building that has been designed to meet exacting energy-performance standards."
Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: "Sports facilities are a vital part of community sport and we know people have a better experience of sport when they can play in good-quality facilities. Thanks to National Lottery funding, we can continue to invest in sports facilities across the country, so that everyone can enjoy a first-rate experience of being fit and active."
Sport England's Improvement Fund has invested over £49 million to date in 150 community-based projects across the country. From upgrading artificial grass pitches and swimming pool facilities to helping sports clubs become more environmentally sustainable, this funding has played a crucial role in improving the standards of community sport and incentivising more people to become active.
For more information, please contact:
Marjorie Glasgow, Chairman, The Thomas Gifford Trust
Tel: 01608 819253
Mob: 07962 130971
More information about The Thomas Gifford Trust is available at www.charlbury.info/community/6
Sport England is focused on helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. It will invest over £1 billion of National Lottery and Exchequer funding between 2012 and 2017 in organisations and projects that will:
- Help more people live more active lives
- Create more opportunities for young people to play sport
- Nurture and develop talent
- Provide the right facilities in the right places
- Support local authorities and unlock local funding
- Ensure real opportunities for communities.
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daniela jenkins ·
Thu 30 Jun 2016, 14:12 · Link
Recycling collection to be fortnightly from 2017
From October next year (2017) West Oxfordshire residents will be able to put the majority of recycling items that are currently placed in black boxes, all together into a wheelie bin.
Glass, however, will still need to be placed in a black box as it has to be collected separately. A new kerbside collection for small electrical items will be introduced when the new service starts.
In line with most other councils, recycling collections will become fortnightly and will alternate with the general household rubbish collection. Food waste will continue to be collected weekly.
The above were included in the recommendations for future changes to the waste service, to start when the current contract ends in October 2017. They were agreed at West Oxfordshire District Council's Cabinet's meeting on 22 June 2016 and will go forward to full Council for a decision the following week, on 29 June.
Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member responsible for the Environment said, "In a recent survey, most people (70%) told us they would prefer a wheelie bin for recycling and do not want to sort all their recycling materials. As our residents are amongst the best in the country for recycling, we are keen to introduce any changes that make it easier for them.
"Using wheeled bins for recycling collections will also reduce street litter as materials such as paper and plastics often spill out and catch the wind easily.
"Although recycling collections will become fortnightly using a wheelie bin with a box for glass gives much greater capacity. Households unable to accommodate a wheelie bin, should be assured that we are exploring other container options for them."
Recommendations include retaining garden waste collections as an optional service for residents, but from April 2017 introducing a small annual charge of £30 for each garden waste wheeled bin.
For several years West Oxfordshire's garden waste collections have been free. However, following cost cuts made by Oxfordshire County Council, the District Council is no longer receiving recycling credits for garden waste and so a small charge to cover costs is being made. This brings West Oxfordshire in line with other neighbouring authorities as most charge for this service.
Cllr Langridge said, "Garden waste collections are popular and residents told us in the survey that it is something they value. Because of this we are very keen to offer it as an optional service with a small annual charge for those who wish to take it up. More information will be available later in the year."
There will be no changes to general household waste collections as these will be still be collected fortnightly and collections will alternate with recycling.
(From a WODC press release; emphasis ours.)
Fri 24 Jun 2016, 14:41 · Link
A Pair of Wilderness 2016 Tickets for sale by silent auction NOW!!!
A pair of weekend tickets for this year's Wilderness Festival (4th to 7th August 2016) have been kindly donated by the festival organisers to be auctioned to raise money for Street Fair. As the festival takes place BEFORE Street Fair (17th September), a special silent auction of this one item is being held and your offers are now invited!
If you would like to bid, please send an email to csfchairman@charlburystreetfair.org with a subject of "Wildernesss 2016 Auction" and include the following details:
- Names of those wishing to attend
- Address (for the mailing of tickets)
- Telephone contact (landline, mobile or both)
- Email address
- Your bid
- Your preferred campsite (Family, Quiet, General or None)
Alternatively, deliver your bid including the above details by post or by hand to:
Peter Kenrick, Wilderness 2016 Auction, 18 Little Lees, Charlbury, Oxon, OX7 3HB
All bids to be received by Wednesday 6th July and the successful bidder will be announced on Monday 11th July. Payment must be received from the successful bidder before tickets can be issued.
Please see the Wilderness Festival website www.wildernessfestival.com for details of the festival, tickets, camping areas, restrictions and other terms and conditions.
Peter Kenrick ·
Thu 23 Jun 2016, 15:32 · Link
It's definitely happening...
Work commences today on the construction of Charlbury's new Community Centre. A local Charlbury contracting team is being used to "facilitate the site" which over the next 12 weeks will involve removing the existing spoil, levelling the site and building a retaining "gabon" wall near the children's play area. Demolition of the existing buildings is scheduled to take place in early July. It is anticipated that the site will be then handed over to the main contractor in early September. Regular updates will appear here to advise the community of the progress of the project.
The centre is programmed to open in September 2017.
Paul D Jenkins ·
Tue 21 Jun 2016, 08:32 · Link
Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 20 Jun 2016, 08:00 · Link
New group: Charlbury Netwalking
Are you a homeworker looking for a lunchtime excuse to:
- get away from your desk
- get some exercise
- meet new people locally
- discover new walking routes
- chat informally about homeworking?
This new walking group has primarily been set up with homeworkers in mind, but all are welcome, including well-behaved dogs. It's a very informal group and is basically a regular time and meeting place to allow people to join together. The intention is that members will take it in turns to lead a walk of between an hour and an hour and a half (achievable over a lunch break).
Walks will take place at midday every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Walks in July will be on 6th and 20th.
Start and finish point is the old fountain on the Playing Close opposite the Co-op.
There is no need to sign up, just turn up on the day.
The inaugural netwalk on 15th June attracted 14 people.
Helen Holwill ·
Sun 19 Jun 2016, 21:45 · Link
Ricos Pizza Shack
Rico's have informed me that they are unable to be at the Spendlove site next Monday the 20th June.
Jim Holah ·
Sat 18 Jun 2016, 20:00 · Link
Cub Scout Centenary Event at Cornbury
To celebrate the centenary of the Cub Scouts a camp is being held at Cornbury this weekend (Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June) and we are told there will be in excess of 1300 Cubs taking part.
With this event going on there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, there will be some fireworks at the camp on Friday evening so farmers and owners of horses and pets may wish to take some precautions. There will also be some amplified music on Saturday night but this will finish by 10pm at the latest.
There may also be some traffic disruption on Friday evening between 5 and 7pm and on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 5pm. A one-way system will be in operation with vehicles entering via the Finstock entrance and exiting via North Lodge. There should be signage in place and marshalls directing traffic.
We all hope the event goes well and the Cubs and their leaders have a great weekend.
Peter Kenrick ·
Fri 17 Jun 2016, 15:17 · Link
Friday Fish & Chip Van
As a result of a road accident Bob & Sarah Withey are unable to offer the Fish & Chip Van service this Friday.
The staff & friends are hoping to be back on Friday 24th June.
In the meantime I know that their regular customers will join me in sending them best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Jim Holah on behalf of the Thomas Gifford Trust
Jim Holah ·
Wed 15 Jun 2016, 10:49 · Link
Charlbury resident Nick Way awarded OBE
Nick Way, of Market Street, has been awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the conservation of the UK's architectural heritage.
Until November, Nick was director general of the Historic Houses Association, which represents over 1,600 privately and charitably owned historic houses, castles and gardens. He told the Oxford Mail that his proudest achievement with the HHA had been helping families who happened to live in historic homes which require costly upkeep to develop new sources of income, such as weddings, to enable them to keep living there, often while opening parts of their house to the public.
Congratulations Nick!
Richard Fairhurst ·
Tue 14 Jun 2016, 11:32 · Link
Market Street closure - 20 June for 3 weeks
OCC have sent us a notice about the road closure. Market Street will be closed for three weeks from 20 June for sewer repair works.
There are exemptions including "for access to premises which are only accessible from the closed section of road."
Susan Way ·
Mon 13 Jun 2016, 19:59 · Link
Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
- 12 Sandford Rise Charlbury
Single storey front extension, garage conversion and side infill extension.
WODC reference: 16/01916/HHD - Fri 20 May 2016 - Under consideration
- Spellwood 4 Spelsbury Villas Spelsbury Road Charlbury
Erection of first floor extension.
WODC reference: 16/01843/HHD - Mon 16 May 2016 - Under consideration
- 61 Ticknell Piece Road Charlbury
Single storey side extension, conversion of the existing garage into habitable space and internal alterations.
WODC reference: 16/01560/HHD - Tue 31 May 2016 - Under consideration
- 14 The Slade Charlbury
Erection of single storey rear extension.
WODC reference: 16/01766/HHD - Tue 10 May 2016 - Under consideration
Mon 13 Jun 2016, 08:00 · Link
Names announced for the Culture tent at the 2016 Charlbury Beer Festival
We are proud to be able to announce a full programme for the Culture Club tent at this year's Charlbury Beer Festival on Saturday 25 June. Some timings have yet to be confirmed, but the afternoon will start with a performance by the Charlbury Primary School Choir, led by Jennie Grierson and accompanied by Maria Jurd. This will be followed by artist and cartographer Jane Tomlinson talking about 'Maps, Shakespeare and me', in conversation with Nick Millea of the Bodleian Library's map department - Professor Simon Horobin on 'How English became English: a short history of a global language' - 'From our own correspondent' with journalists Kieran Cooke, Harriet O'Brien, Mark Gregory and Alasdair Ross - a kora workshop with Senegalese musician Jali Fily Cissokho, talking about the traditions of the instrument and demonstrating its widely diverse styles - and Christine Elliott on 'Turning windfalls into gold: the story behind Charlbury Sharecroppers Gold Cider'. Finally Charlbury Youth Theatre, in association with Snap Theatre, will present 'Shakespeare or bust'.
The Culture Club tent is generously sponsored by Cafe Rouge, Witney. We hope to see you there on the day!
Edward Fenton ·
Wed 8 Jun 2016, 16:24 · Link
The clock strikes again
The church clock is working again, striking the quarters and the hours. A big thank you to all who made this possible through your donations,support and patience while this lenghy process was carried out..
To bring you up to date, the "going" has now been refurbished with several cleaned and repaired parts and been set going. Before that happened, the weight on the pendulum was lifted clear and the big nut on the bottom was tightened up and the weight released back onto it. This has the effect of shortening the pendulum. Those who did physics at school will know that this makes it it swing slightly faster, so at the moment the clock is gaining abou 5-10 minutes a week. The reason for this procedure is that we are entering a period of adjustments and tweaks, and it is much easier (well relatively) to slacken off the big nut than to tighten it up against the weight of the weight - if that makes sense. Another adjustment required will be to cut down the gap between the Westminster chimes for the hour and the striking of the hour itself. At present this is about 25 seconds, and several cases of of stress, wondering will it ever strike - if so when - have been reported.
More news will be posted as and when it happens.
Mike Summers ·
Mon 6 Jun 2016, 20:21 · Link
Charlbury Community Centre Update
Construction for the new Community Centre will begin in the next few weeks. In preparation for building works to commence on the Spendlove site a Heras fence will be erected around the Community Centre site during the weekend of the 4th June. The plan is for some site clearance to start relatively quickly after this date with the demolition of the Sports and Social Club programmed towards the mid to end of June. We have applied for permission to carry out the demolition and we await confirmation from WODC.
We will, where possible, keep the car parking on the TGT land open but also progress site clearance works. I anticipate the whole TGT site will be passed over to the contractors by no later than the end of June. At this point no parking can be permitted on the "waste ground" area.
We will keep the community updated through a Q & A sheet on the TGT community pages but anybody is welcome to call me on 07786 274234 to discuss any aspect of the community centre project. Paul Jenkins (Trustee)
daniela jenkins ·
Wed 1 Jun 2016, 10:28 · Link
